Police have arrested a 20-year-old youth for murdering his sister near Walajah on Tuesday. On Sunday night, 10-year-old Aarthi was found strangulated to death at her house by her mother.
Manikandan, a resident of Bajanai Koil Street, Velampudur village in Walajah taluk, was working as a fork lift operator in an automobile company. He belonged to Vanniyar community and was in love with a girl, who belonged to SC community, according to police.
He had told his mother, Valli, about his love, and expressed the desire to marry the girl. However, his mother had refused citing caste issues. “His mother had told him that if he married a Dalit girl, nobody from their community would marry his sister. As he continued his relationship with the girl, his family members – mother, younger brother and Aarthi – stopped talking to him for nearly a month,” D. Rajangam, inspector of police, Ranipet station, said.
On the night of February 5, Manikandan had come home in an inebriated condition. He asked his mother and 16-year-old brother to go to their field to water the crops. The duo left the house leaving Aarthi, who was sleeping, behind, he added.
“In his confession, Manikandan said he took a nylon rope to commit suicide but changed his mind. Under the influence of alcohol, he decided to murder his sister. He smothered her with a pillow and strangulated her using a rope,” he added.
He immediately left the house to join his mother and brother at the field. However, his mother scolded him for leaving his sister alone at home and immediately started for home.
“Manikandan rushed to the house even before his mother and brother could enter it, and pretended that his sister was murdered,” he added. Police, based on suspicion, interrogated Manikandan and he confessed to the crime.
